Hose supporter



June 12, 1923. 11,458,353

B. MORSE HOSE SUPPORTER Filed Aug. 2, 1921 INVENTOR A og/0min fl/onsa A TTORNE V6 New Patented dune l2, i923.

BENJAMIN MORSEOF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HOSE SUPPOREER.

Application filed August 2, 1921. Serial No. 489,293.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN Monsn, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York, State of York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hose Supporters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full. clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in hose supporters, and relates particularly to that type of supporter, which engages directly with the leg, without the intervention of connecting straps and the like. Hose supporters in use at the present day, are of two general types, namely those which encircle the leg to form an anchorage for the hose, and those wherein the anchorage is at the waist line.

In the latter construction, straps are provided, connected with a corset, waist or belt, or with the underwear. in either case, the pull upon the hose is never uniform, because the relation between the hose and the waist line is constantly changing, from movement of the body. If the straps are properly adjusted in one position of the body, as for instance when standing, such adjustment is not correct in another position, as for instance in sitting. Further1nore,the changing position of the straps disarranges the clothing, and disturbs the perfect lit and hang of the skirt or trousers. Connecting the supporter to the undergarments is open to all the objections of the type to which it belongs, and to others in addition, such for instance as the liability of injury to the garments at the engagement of the supporter therewith. Neither is this type of supporter suitable for ladies wear, nor with the athletic type of undergarment in mens wear. in both cases the garment ends in the neighborhood of the knee, and in order that the wearer may obtain the comfort such garments are designed to give, the garment must be entirely free from the hose, and this is especially true where it is desired to roll down the top of the stocking. Supporters which encircle the leg either above or below the knee are more satisfactory in some respects, because the relation between the hose and the anchorage therefor is not disturbed by bodily movement. Such supporters are objectionable however, since to obtain a suflicient hold they must be tight enough to prevent slipping, and even if loosely placed, the pull of the hose will tighten them.

The object of the present invention is to provide a construction of supporter engagingthe leg near the top of the hose, but in such manner that there is no possibility of injurious pressure to the blood vessels and nerves, and wherein the supporter depends for its hold on direct contact with the leg, and on the pull of the hose to hold it closely against the leg. I i

In the drawings;

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved hose supporter in use with a sock,

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the supporter applied to a stocking,

Figure 3 is a plan View of an embodiment of the supporter,

' Figures 4 and 5 are similar views of other embodiments,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a part of another embodiment. v

"in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 3, the supporter comprises a strap 1 of suitable flexible material, as for instance an elastic or non-elastic fabric, of

suitable width, and of a length overall approximately equal to the circumference of the leg upon which it is to be worn. The strap 1 may be a straight strap, but preferably it is shaped somewhat to conform to the shape of the leg just below the knee,

consisting in the construction of two portions extending at an obtuse angle with respect to each other. At each end of the strap a suitable grip 2 is provided, the grips in the present instance being the usual type of velvet grip, although it is obvious that they might be of any other character. As for instance in Figure 2, the supporter consists of a body 3 similar to that shown in Figure 1, but having at its ends V shaped grips i. If desired some adjusting means may be arranged between the grips and the body of the strap, but this is not essential, as will be' presently explained. Since the strap 1 is usually, for the sake of comfort, of considerable width, it is desirable that the lower edge be shaped to conform with the round of the calf upon which it rests when in use, and to prevent curling of the strap on its long axis, I provide a reinforcing member 5 extending transversely of the strap at its center. This member which may be of semi-rigid and resilient material, as

for instance whale bone, is connectedv to the strap in any suitable or desired manner, and at the point where in the reinforce is arranged, the strapis of least width.

. In use, the supporter is arranged as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the center thereof being arranged at the rear of theleg, just below the knee, and with the end-s extending for wardly and downwardly at each side of the leg. The grips are engaged with the top of the hose in the usual manner, and since the strap is of a length substantially equal tothe circumference of the leg at this point, thegrips will be spaced apart from each other on the front of the leg, so that there will be no impediment to free circulation. The supporting strap is held firmly-against the leg just above the round of the calf, and the pull of the hose holds the strap, in close engagement with the leg; By adjusting the position of the grips on the hose,toward and from each other, variations in distance between the central portion of the hose supporter and top ofthe hose may be compensated for. In persons with long thin legs, the grips mightbe moved "rearwardly. In

, supporting ladies stockings, the supporters are placed in the same manner, and if desired, the top of the hose indicated at 6 in Figure Qmay be folded down over the 'supporter, completely hiding -,the same, and

providing the rolled effect with no possibility of displacement of the hose. To perinit the supporter to be placed in thismann'er, itisessential that the V shaped type of grip be used. .In Figure 4c is shown aconstruction permitting adjustments in length and provid-' ing resiliency without theuse of a resilient fabric. In this arrangement, a ring 7 of rubber or the like is provided, and straps 8 are connected with the ring at opposite sides thereof, in any suitable manner. Grips 9 are connected with theends of the straps, and the straps are adjustable in: length, the

shaped element is provided for fitting the.

adjusting means. being indicated at 10 and leg. The said element being in the form of a bar 14, connected at its ends to rings 15,. which are preferably of rubber. Grips not shown, are connected; to the'rings by,

means of straps 16, and the bar 14; is covered with a layer or facing 17 of cushioning material of a suitable character. The bar 14 is of any suitable resilientmaterial, for in stance whalebone or the like- I clalm A hose supporter .cioinprisingja flexible: strap having'at each end means forgrip ping the hose, and of an overall lengthsubstantially equal to the circumference of the leg below the knee, whereby when the gripping means are engaged withthe hose at each side of the leg with the strap extending across the rear of the leg at the top of the calf, the strap will extend: inopen loop formation and Will be supportedin such po-; sition and held closely against the leg by the pull of the hose on the strap, and a reinforcing member arranged transversely of the strap at the center thereof, saidlmemher being of semi-rigid material. j i

. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' BENJAMIN .MoRsE. 

